Oceanside junior varsity nets strong 10-5 season

Rockland — The Oceanside High School girls junior varsity basketball team had success on the hardwood this season, which should bode well for the varsity program next season.

Led by coach Christine Clayton, the Mariners sported a 10-5 record and played their best games as the season wore on, catching fire toward the end of the year.

After losing its first three contests of the season to Belfast, Medomak Valley and Camden Hills, the Mariners won 10 of their final 12 games, avenging losses to the Lions and Windjammers in the process, and ending the year on a positive note.

Oceanside's rematch with Medomak Valley never transpired, as the game was eventually canceled after being postponed twice due to inclement weather.

"As a coach, it is most satisfying to finish your season on a high note, using those games as measuring sticks for just how much our hard work paid off and how much we really improved our game," said Clayton. "The most important lessons we learned were to play hard for a full 32 minutes of every game, how to play smart, controlled possessions at the end of tight games, and how much communicating with your teammates can help create a strong team defense."

Leading the Mariners on offense was Penn, a team captain, who averaged 8.6 points, while Grover (7.8 ppg), Dugan (7.7 ppg), Davis (7.5 ppg) and Curtis (7.4 ppg) also played key offensive roles in the team's success.

"It was an honor to coach this hard-working group of young ladies and I look forward to seeing what they bring to the hardwood next November," said Clayton.

Courier Publications sports staff can be reached by phone at 207-594-4401 or by email at sports@courierpublicationsllc.com.